7804 - Lead plates, sheets, strip and foil; lead powders and flakes:

Chapter 78 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) encompasses lead and articles manufactured from this base metal. Within this chapter, Heading 7804 specifically identifies flat-rolled products of lead in various forms, as well as lead in powdered or flaked form. This heading covers lead that has been processed into plates, sheets, strips, and foils, which are characterized by their thin, planar dimensions and are suitable for a wide range of industrial and commercial applications, such as roofing, radiation shielding, and battery components.

Distinguishing Heading 7804 from its sibling categories requires an understanding of the hierarchical structure of the HTS. Unlike other headings within Section XV that deal with different base metals (e.g., copper in Chapter 74, aluminum in Chapter 76) or articles made from those metals, Heading 7804 is exclusively focused on products derived from lead. Furthermore, it differentiates itself from other lead-related headings by concentrating on the semi-finished forms of lead (plates, sheets, strip, foil) and its particulate forms (powders, flakes), rather than crude lead or finished articles not specifically enumerated.

Heading 7804 is further subdivided to distinguish between the distinct forms of processed lead. The primary subcategory, "Plates, sheets, strip and foil," covers solid, continuous forms of lead that have undergone rolling processes. In contrast, the subcategory "Powders and flakes" addresses lead that has been reduced to fine granular or flaky particles. This distinction is crucial for classification as it reflects different manufacturing processes and end-use applications of the lead material.